Connor Jessup, 22, is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Ben Mason on TNT’s Falling Skies. In 2012, Jessup’s performance in Blackbird earned him a “Rising Star” accolade, and he was later named one of Variety’s “Actors to Watch”. (Getty)

Look to the Stars

USC Shoah Foundation is offering one member of the public and a guest the chance to attend its Ambassadors for Humanity Gala in December.

The gala is a crucial part of the Institute’s efforts helping to forge partnerships that sustain the organization into the future. The gala raises much-needed general funds to support its educational programs including expansion of the Institute’s award-winning IWitness website, professional development for educators globally, the Center for Advanced Genocide Research, academic conferences, expanding access to the Visual History Archive and testimony preservation, to name a few.

Winner of the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala Sweepstakes and a plus-one will receive round-trip transportation to Los Angeles to attend the Institute’s annual fundraising gala on Dec. 8, when Mellody Hobson and George Lucas will be honored with the Institute’s 2016 Ambassador for Humanity Award for their steadfast commitment to dynamic and innovative humanitarian efforts, and their longtime support of USC Shoah Foundation.

The winner and their guest will also get the opportunity to have their photo taken with Mellody Hobson, George Lucas and Institute founder Steven Spielberg.

“Through its educational programs, community outreach and exploration of new technologies, USC Shoah Foundation reaches a wide audience” said Executive Director Stephen Smith. “By inviting the public to participate in the sweepstakes, we hope to reach even more people about the important work we do.”

The sweepstakes will award one grand-prize winner with a trip package for two people – the winner and a guest – to attend the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala in Los Angeles on Dec. 8. The prize also includes:
• A round-trip, coach-class air-transportation for the winner and guest to Los Angeles from a major airport nearest the winner’s residence within the 48 contiguous United States
• One-night hotel accommodations
• Round-trip ground transportation to and from the destination airport and hotel
• Round-trip ground transportation to and from the hotel and the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala
• A meet and greet opportunity with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg that includes a photo

No donation or purchase is necessary to enter or win, but the Institute welcomes all contributions that help support its mission.
The winner will be selected in a random drawing on Monday, Nov. 21, from among all eligible entries received during the sweepstakes period by the sweepstakes administrator, an independent agent of the sponsor whose decisions are final.

The contest is currently open and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.

To enter, visit USC Shoah Foundation’s home page, click on the Sweepstakes button/banner to access the Sweepstakes Website (the “Sweepstakes Website”), follow all entry instructions to complete the entry form and submit to receive one entry into the Sweepstakes (the “Entry”). You may only enter the Sweepstakes online.

Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States or D.C., age 21 and older. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, outside the U.S. and wherever prohibited by law. Sponsor: USC Shoah Foundation, 1150 South Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

The reception was attended by Sir David Attenborough who gave a speech thanking Her Majesty for “showing great leadership” by putting her name to the project.

“We are fortunate that you are still thinking about the future and how to make this a better world,” Sir David said.

The QCC project was launched in 2015 when an appeal was made to all 52 Commonwealth nations to contribute areas of indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity to mark Her Majesty’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

Since then, around 20 Commonwealth countries have dedicated forestry projects or are planting new forests, with another 10 countries in the process of finalising their submissions.

The first country to offer a QCC dedication was Singapore, which was officially acknowledged on behalf of Her Majesty by The Princess Royal during a recent visit.

Canada’s QCC commitment of the Great Bear Rainforest was recently unveiled by TheDuke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry will visit a number of QCCdedications during his up-coming visit to The Caribbean.

The Queen acknowledged those countries that have already dedicated projects by presenting High Commissioners with a certificate of QCC partnership.

Displays also illustrated the variety of projects involved including from the Seychelles which is planting 20,000 new trees, to Australia which has dedicated a programme to plant 20 million trees.

The project was conceived by charity Cool Earth, and led by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with Cool Earth and the Commonwealth Forestry Association. It was unveiled at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2015 in Malta.

The next CHGM will be held in the UK in 2018 and more nations are expected to have signed up to create a global network of indigenous forests to benefit communities and wildlife, now, and into the future.

Proceeds from this event benefit LAPD employees and their immediate family members, who have experienced unforeseen catastrophic circumstances, including death, illness and injury. The Memorial Foundation is the cornerstone of the Los Angeles Police Departments employee wellness program and has granted over $16 million without any direct taxpayer money.

The evening will include red carpet arrivals, a celebrity poker tournament, casino games, great food, cocktails, music, photobooth, raffles and auctions. Along with dozens of unique and priceless items in the auction, guests will have the chance to win a 2-seater ride with the legendary IndyCar champion Mario Andretti at the 2017 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach with tickets, pit passes and stay at Renaissance Long Beach, spend the day with MMA fighter Tito Ortiz in training & tickets to BellatorMMA Ortiz vs. Sonnen Fight at the Forum, a stay at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, tour of Jay Leno’s private auto/motorcycle collection, LAPD airship ride, LAPDSWATTraining Day, Training at the Emergency Vehicle Operation Center to learn pursuit & pit maneuvers etc.

The Humane Society of the United States will honor fashion industry leader HUGOBOSS and acclaimed philanthropist Georgina Bloomberg at the 2016 To the Rescue! New York Gala.

Amanda Hearst and Steve Read will serve as event chairs. The evening will feature a performance by Moby. Other guests include: Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States; Deborah Ayorinde, actress, Marvel’s “Luke Cage”; Rick Bernthal, HSUS board of directors chair; Howard Berk, HSUS national council member; Jason Biggs, actor; Lauren Blumenfeld, actress; “Doubt”; Mario Cantone, actor; Jane Gale, member ofHSUS board of directors; Spencer Haber, member of HSUS board of directors; Gayle King, co-anchor of CBS This Morning; Stacey Kivowitz, HSUS national council member; Chuck Laue, member of HSUS board of directors; Jennifer Laue, HSUSnational council member; Natasha Lyonne, actress, “Orange is the New Black”; Patrick McDonnell, member of HSUS board of directors; Jenny Mollen, actress; Adrienne C. Moore, actress, “Orange is the New Black”; Judy Ney, member of HSUS board of directors; Karen O’Connell; member of HSUS board of directors; and Ingo Wilts, Chief Brand Officer and Member of Management Board of HUGOBOSS.

The 2016 To the Rescue! New York gala benefits and celebrates The HSUS’ animal rescue efforts. Responsible for saving and rehabilitating thousands of animals each year, The HSUS and its global arm Humane Society International travel across the country and the globe to help animals in need from puppy mills, dogfighting, neglect and natural disasters.

The event is sponsored by Moroccanoil. Guests will enjoy a three-course vegan meal prepared by Candle 79 and Cipriani, a live auction and entertainment.WHEN: Friday, Nov. 18

Moby is to be honoured this weekend at the Animal Equality 10th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles.

Animal Equality is an international animal protection organization working in the US, UK, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, and India. The organization has more than three million supporters and works through education, advocacy, and investigations in order to promote social and legislative changes that protect farm animals. The event is cocktail attire and will honor Moby, with Michelle Forbes, Katie Cleary, and Elaine Hendrix as members of the host committee.

Nov 18, 2016 06:30 am
It’s not Rise of the Planet of the Apes or King Kong: it’s a new PETA US video, narrated by Andy Serkis, that shares the story of Louie, a chimpanzee who has apparently lived in isolation from his species at a roadside zoo in the US state of Michigan for six years – nearly all his life.

“Male chimpanzees like me usually stay with their families their entire lives, but I never even got to know mine”, says Serkis, as Louie, in the video. “Share my story, and tell the DeYoung Family Zoo to release me to an accredited sanctuary where I’ll finally be able to meet other chimpanzees and live the way I was meant to live. And please don’t support businesses that keep animals like me behind bars.”

In an exclusive interview with PETA US, Serkis also reveals what made him take on the role of Louie: “I’ve obviously over the years become very connected to stories and the lives of the great apes in our world, and this story really blew my mind”, he says. “The fact [is] that here we have a chimpanzee shipped to a small family zoo, where he’s now kept in a cage, completely isolated, unable to socialize, living a very lonely and miserable existence, and it just broke my heart. It’s the same as treating a human being the same way – it really is.”

Earlier this month, PETA US sent an official notice to the DeYoung Family Zoo – where Louie and a second chimpanzee, Tommy, are apparently being kept in isolation – warning the facility of its intent to sue under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which requires plaintiffs to inform potential defendants at least 60 days prior to legal action. In its letter, the group contends that denying highly social primates the opportunity to lead active, stimulating lives and engage in species-specific behaviour – as well as allowing visitors to yell and gawk at Louie – all constitute violations of the ESA, which makes it unlawful for chimpanzees to be harmed or harassed.

PETA US – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment” – has offered to arrange for the transfer of both chimpanzees to an accredited sanctuary at no cost to the DeYoung Family Zoo.

Portman helped launch FINCA’sVillage Banking Campaign to mobilize the people and resources needed to bring financial services to one million of the world’s lowest-income families through 100,000 Village Banks annually by 2010.

Nov 18, 2016 05:00 am
The Somaly Mam Foundation is a charity working to end sex slavery. With the vision and leadership of world renowned Cambodian activist, Somaly Mam, the foundation strives to get to the root of human trafficking. The global vision will allow the activities currently in the United States and South East Asia to expand to other countries around the world.